The Daily Hustle: 11/30/10

View into Marshall Arms (Photo via Google Street View)

When is no news news?

The Hustle tries to answer that question below the fold, looking at the subjects that continue to capture his attention this week: permanent supportive housing coupled with social services, and the argument over urban rail.

Still no sign of the PSH funding on the draft agenda (hell, we had a hard time even finding the draft agenda itself this morning), and all the implications that may carry for the Marshall Arms proposal for E. 12th. However, the Hustle just learned from Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez that the $5 million in funding will appear on the 3pm agenda of the Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors, which is a part of the council's regular Dec. 9 meeting. With neighbors opposing the project stymied by the Urban Renewal Board, this funding vote looks like the definitive decision on the project.

However, we do see the city's advertising the request for proposals for social services, which we spent some time talking about just a few months ago. Rebooting a process that hasn't been overhauled in at least a decade, the deadline to apply is January 10, 2011. With the city looking to stretch their social service contract spending, it seems PSH projects – and the wrap-around services they provide for their clients – would be a perfect match for would-be providers.

… In other news, yesterday's rail car photo-op earned mixed reviews from locals.

What the hell else is happening?

On the city calendar: Looking to gladhand? heal the children? A possible quorum of the City Council may be present at today's "Forum on Childhood Obesity - What can the City do?" It's happening at the Millennium Youth Center, 1156 Hargrave, 3-7pm.

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